Back to the original date is the motto of the cult race Ötztaler Cycle Marathon. In 2023, the cycling marathon was postponed to July for the first time - now it's back to late summer. The 43rd edition of the Ötztal Cycle Marathon with start and finish in Sölden will take place on Sunday, 1 September 2024.
The event was originally postponed to July because there was criticism in South Tyrol about the traffic obstructions at the end of the summer holidays. "This step fulfils South Tyrol's wish to hold the Ötztaler on a weekend with less traffic," said OC boss Dominic Kuen 2022, explaining the postponement. In the meantime, however, the traffic problems in South Tyrol no longer seem to be so problematic. "Last year, we took some measures to improve the flow of traffic, especially on the South Tyrolean side. For example, in the form of a new route in Sterzing. This commitment has paid off. We agreed with our partners in South Tyrol to organise the Ötztaler 2024 on the traditional date again," says Kuen.
Ötztal Cycle Marathon 2024 in late summer
"By holding the event in late summer, the participants benefit from a longer training phase and the opportunity to gain valuable metres in altitude on the Alpine passes that are open in summer, such as the Timmelsjoch," reads the organisers' press release.
The new change has consequences for other cycling marathons that coordinate their dates with the Ötztaler. The Kitzbühel Cycle Marathon, for example, switched from its July date to late summer to avoid the Ötzi. Now it could make sense to switch again so as not to lose any participants who want to take part in both races.
The Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2023 just celebrated its July premiere: 4335 starters took to the course in Sölden. Italian former pro Manuel Senni took victory in the men's race ahead of MTB world champion Alban Lakata, who finished on the podium despite a defect. In the women's race, Janine Meyer pulverised the previous record with a start-finish victory.
Janine Meyer with record time
The German set the pace from the Kühtai and was already more than eight minutes in the lead at the Brenner Pass. She didn't experience a slump over the Jaufenpass and the Timmelsjoch either and crossed the finish line as the winner in front of thousands of spectators in Sölden. The 45-year-old from Cologne beat her previous best time from 2016 of 7:42 hours with a time of 7:27.47 hours. She outpaced Samantha Amaudo (ITA) by 19:39 minutes, with last year's winner Catherine Rossmann in third place. "With this victory I have climbed my personal cycling Olympus. It was always a dream to win in Ötztal. My family is here and to win with a new course record is unbelievable for me," said a jubilant Janine. She last won with a partner at the TOUR Transalp won the women's team classification by a large margin.
One winter athlete was also able to impress at his premiere: Johannes Lamparter, winner of the overall Nordic Combined World Cup, achieved a remarkable time of 7:40 hours.
The Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2024 will continue innovations that were introduced this year: personalised videos for all finishers, the ÖRM app, the use of reusable cups and XXL video screens in the start-finish area.
Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2023 - Results
Top 10 men
- Senni Manuel (time: 6:49.18)
- Lakata Alban
- Hoogerland Johnny
- Leopold Hans-Jörg
- Anton Schiffer
- Federspiel Daniel
- Elettrico Tommaso
- Pammer Rene
- Cecchini Stefano
- Barbieri Riccardo
Top 10 women
- Meyer Janine (time: 7:27.47)
- Arnaudo Samantha
- Rossmann Catherine
- Van der Moeren Ils
- Prieling Nadja
- Dietl Monika
- Gigele Jana
- Tibitanzl Laura
- Sutter Claudia
- Portaluri Giulia
Kristian Bauer
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